From Underdog To Ginger King – Interview w/ Marcus Schossow

History is being rewritten. The Vikings we learned about in school are no more. Gone is the age of fierce seafaring conquerors; however, some of their descendants do still embrace an extremely fierce work ethic and a deep love for family. Just ask Marcus Schossow.

Marcus Schossow is a welcome paradox of our times. A modern-day warrior poet. He’s part samurai, part Thoreau, but all heart. Axtone and Ultra have helped usher in the era of the “Golden Ginger.” He walks me through his newest projects, his principles for collaboration, and his trajectory for the “Ginger Crown.”

Marcus Schossow: I guess my heart opened to all genres. My dad was a musician and he made us listen to all kinds of obscure things I didn’t get at the time!

A’Damaged Pro: Do you still find an escape through painting or other forms of expression, besides music?

Marcus Schossow: I find an escape through gaming and being with friends. Music is my arty expression and it can never be changed to anything else, then I’d die inside of myself. However I have looked into photography a million times, but I just haven’t had the time yet.

A’Damaged Pro: What do you feel are some of the elemental characteristics of “your sound,” and how have they evolved over your career?

Marcus Schossow: I guess it’s my timeless sound. My tracks never been out of style or date, no matter what genres I do and that helped me develop into the artist I am today. I am an artist that does exactly what I wanna do without having a million people telling me what to do or not to do. I’m just lucky I have a sound that fits into many places.

A’Damaged Pro: What changes do you see coming for the Scandinavian EDM scene as well as the rest of the EDM world? How do you see your role in helping implementing these changes?

Marcus Schossow: I think the melodies and funk is coming back. People forgot that you don’t need 12 epic arena bangers in 3 minute edits to make a crowd go crazy. Look at Eric Prydz, he doesn’t give a shit about what people think about his 2 minute build ups and yet, he is one of the worlds greatest djs and producers out there. You can choose, 15 minutes of arena fame or 30 years of a fantastic journey with beautiful people, emotions and experiences that you never can replace. I’m not saying 15 minutes of arena fame is a bad thing, but its just not the way for me. I am who I am, I’m a little misfit and I have my struggles, but every morning I wake up with a smile on my face and next to me is the person I love the most. Life is short, make the great things last long!

A’Damaged Pro: You claimed that you were in a “dark place” when you wrote, “Reverie,” was producing or performing more therapeutic for you?

Marcus Schossow: I think so yes. I always make the best music when I’m really sad. The emotions flow and you just couldn’t give a single shit about what other people think. I guess it’s the ultimate receipt for great music. However most of the greatest artists out there have either died in direct or indirectly-related issues to depression and that’s not how I wanna end up! I’d like to end up on a small cottage with a small boat where I can write a book, do some awesome cooking for my girlfriend, and every know and then catch some unlucky fishes.

A’Damaged Pro: It’s been noted that creativity and ingenuity are two qualities that you feel record companies should keep intact to deliver the best music possible. Can you elaborate on your fit with both Axtone and Ultra?

Marcus Schossow: Its almost impossible to compare Ultra and Axtone. The Axtone guys have a fantastic ear and vision for what the future sound like, while Ultra is trying to make people listen to great music in forums where people, not many years ago, had been listening to 50 Cent and adored it. As I mentioned earlier, I’m just lucky to be working with the best labels in the world and to do that every day.

A’Damaged Pro: Were there any reservations on how a crossover project, such as “Wild Child,” would be received?

Marcus Schossow: No, I was confident that the track would go down well. It’s a great track and again…it’s timeless. You can listen to it in a car, at home, at the gym, while hanging out with your grandmother, while doing the dishes without it sticking out. It’s a track that should shine up your everyday life.

A’Damaged Pro: How do you modify your creative process when approaching a collaboration with a fellow artist? Are there any new projects on the horizon?

Marcus Schossow: I started to demand that if I do a collab I A) Gotta like the person and the vibe’s gotta be there. B) It has to be done live, no file sharing bullshit, I’m not making a lego truck, I’m making music and the emotions should be coming directly from the situations.

Having said that, I don’t mind doing a trillion edits afterwards, it’s just that I need to feel that the track has actually been a collab and not a systematic lego project of music stems back and forth

With Adrian and I went to LA and he came to Helsingborg (my hometown) to finish it. With Sebjak, we did the same, first I went up to his fantastic studio in Stockholm, and then afterwards he came down to my part of Sweden.

A’Damaged Pro: Who are some of your contemporaries that inspire you to push the envelope?

Marcus Schossow: Steve Angello, Axwell, Trentemoller, Sigur Ros, Charlie May and a million other small indie pop bands I listen to at home.

A’Damaged Pro: What tricks do you have up your sleeve that would solidify yourself as the “most famous ginger alive?”